HOME READING ASSIGHNMENT (‘THEATRE’ by S. W. MAUGHAM)

CHAPTER 1

I. Present situations with the following word-combination/

- to fit the gesture to the word

- to listen with half an ear

- at cost price

- three times running

- to know sb inside out

- to paint one’s lips

- to put sb at ease

- to take a weight off one’s mind

- to have the nerve to do sth

- to look back on sth

II. Answer the following questions:

1. What impression did Tom make on Julia and what made her invite the young man over to lunch?

2. What were the reasons that prompted Michael to call a rehearsal?

3. Why do you think Julia expressed her doubt concerning the success on the play?

4. Why was Michael no longer keen on acting?

5. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Michael.

Chapter 2

I. Memorize the sentences where the following word-combinations are used/

- to gain experience in

- to let down

- to take one’s breath away

- to come down to brass tacks

- to hang about

- to make inquiries

- to be a quick study

- to do the talking

- to take sb for sb else

- to go on a stage

II. Answer the questions.

1. What feelings did Julia experience while looking through her old photographs?

2. Speak of the beginning of Michael’s career. Comment on the following: ‘… his physique prevented him from playing any but a few parts which was fortunate…’

3. Speak of the popularity Michael enjoyed in Middlepool.

4. What information does the chapter offer about Julia?

5. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Jimmie Langdon.

Chapter 3

I. Retell the chapter using the following word-combination:

- under sb’s direction

- to be a great hit (with the public)

- to report on

- to make choice

- to put on (about plays)

- to make a packet

- one’s share of the expenses

- to play with some company

- to let oneself in for

- to come in contact with

- to be hard up

- to go into management

- to fork out

- to bring sb into a close and constant relations with

- to make a point of doing sth

Chapter 4

I. Present situations with the following words and word-combinations:

- to come to the rescue

- peppery

- to have the remains of gook looks

- to be head over ears in love with

- to keep sth a secret

2. Answer the following questions:

1. What sort of invitation did Julia get and how she take it?

2. Comment on the following: “Julia found the Colonel a much less alarming person than one had expected”.

3. Speak of Michael’s parents and of the impression they produced on Julia/

4. How can you account for Julia’s behaviour?

5. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Michael.

Chapter 5

I. Memorize the first two paragraphs.

II. Answer the questions:

1. Speak of the relations between Julia and Michael.

2. Why did Julia feel down-hearted?

3. Why did she go to Jimmie Langdon? What kind of talk took place there?

Chapter 6

I. Retell the chapter using the following:

- to be a long run (about a play)

- to shine to the advantage

- come off it

- to exercise one’s option

- a smack in the eye

- at sb’s suggestion

- to renew the contract

- tight wad

Chapter 7

I. Present situations with the following words and word-combinations:

- to be jealous of

- to get down to work

- to bring down the house

- to set a seal on sb

- to fall out of love

- on equal terms

- to be on active service

- to go to exchange

- not to care two straws for sb

- on one’s honey-moon

II. Answer the questions:

1. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Michael.

2. Speak of their success on the stage.

3. What changes did the war bring about in their relations, in their mode of life?

4. Comment on the following: “by God, it’s grand to be one’s own mistress”

Chapter 8

I. Memorize the sentences where the following words and word-combinations are used:

- set up; high-spirited

- a ready smile

- to go up (about a rent)

- to twist sb round one’s little finger

- hard cash

- to sb out of sth

- to brim over with excitement

II. Answer the questions:

1. Prove that Michael returned to the stage a much better actor than he left.

2. What was in the way of Michael’s starting management and who helped them out of that predicament?

3. Why did Michael think it was a “damned happy marriage after all”?

4. Speak of Julia’s attitude to Michael.

Chapter 9

I. Present situations with the following words and word-combinations:

- to take the rough with the smooth

- to take sb down

- to have a shot at sth

- (to sell) stocks

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Speak of the way Michael ran the theatre/

2. Why was Julia discouraged and how did Michael take the failures?

3. Speak of Michael as a director/

4. Why do you think Michael exasperated Julia?

Chapter 10

I. Present situations with the following words and word-combinations:

- it’s no good crying over spilt milk

- to keep one’s figure

- to be apt to do sth

- for all you (I) know

- to keep in touch with

- to give sb a thrill

II. Answer the questions:

1. Speak of Evie and Michael’s attitude to her/

2. Speak of Julia’s routine.

3. Why did Julia think Evie to be unromantic?

4. Comment upon the final sentence/

Chapter 11

I. Give the English equivalents for the following word-combinations.

- to inherit a considerable fortune

- at the bottom of one’s heart

- to have a profound contempt for sb

- to keep in check

- to turn sth to good account

- on sb’s account

- to bring together

- to put sb in sb’s place

- to go out of one’s way

- at will